We met on November 8th, 2019 outside Handel’s (now Cali Cream) in Encinitas. Tyler was pretending to be on his phone (staring at a blank screen), when Ambika walked up with a confident “Hi.” He was clearly, cutely nervous. Our first date was at night—we couldn’t really see each other, but somehow, it didn’t matter. Tyler’s quirky humor made Ambika laugh, and Ambika’s joyful energy made Tyler feel instantly at home. Ambika later said it was Tyler’s deep voice, calm and clear in the dark, that truly captivated her. We started writing sweet notes (some heartfelt, some… copy-pasted), going on beach walks, hikes, and even a Disney trip—until COVID hit and Tyler left for his first 9-month deployment. We stayed close through emails and satellite messages, and when he returned, we picked up where we left off: adventuring, eating (always with veg and steak options), and learning each other’s worlds. Our big families, different cultures, and love of new experiences blended beautifully—from spicy dosas to Southern comfort food, from surprise parties to surprise proposals. On July 21st, 2023, Tyler proposed—and Ambika, of course, was completely surprised. Now, with our little Matcha-loving pup by our side, we’re so excited for what’s next—and can’t wait to celebrate with you (ideally with a cold matcha in hand!). 💚